Practical Sales Training™ > How To Keep Your Clients Happy > Unsubscribe Check
Unsubscribe Check
Not every unsubscribe is real. So build in a moment to check before you lose someone for good.
Some clicks happen by accident. A forwarded email confuses things even more. The person clicking might not be your actual subscriber.
What Is It
An unsubscribe check adds one extra step before someone leaves your list. So instead of removing them instantly, you confirm they actually meant to go.
It catches the accidental clicks. Since a slip of the thumb shouldn’t cost you a genuine subscriber.
Why Does It Work
It works because it’s a safety net. So a mistaken click doesn’t have to mean a lost relationship.
Email subscribers matter. Since losing one by accident costs you more than the extra click costs them.
Forwarded emails cause more of these accidents than people realise. Since the person clicking may not be the one who actually subscribed.
How Can You Use It
To set this up, get familiar with your email provider’s tools. So find the landing page people land on after clicking unsubscribe.
That page is where the check belongs. Since it’s the last moment before someone actually leaves.
Once you’re on that page, add a simple confirmation. So ask plainly whether they meant to unsubscribe rather than assuming they did.
Consider naming which list they’re about to leave too. Since a forwarded email can make people unsure what they actually signed up for.
When It Works Best
This works best with lists people often forward, like newsletters or health updates. So the more sharing happens, the more accidental clicks you’ll likely catch.
It also helps with subscribers you’ve had for a long time. Since a long relationship is worth one extra click to protect.
When It Becomes Dangerous
It becomes dangerous if the extra step turns into real friction. So people who genuinely want to leave should still be able to, quickly.
Many regions have rules requiring an easy unsubscribe process. So check your local regulations before adding extra steps.
Common Mistakes
Turning It Into A Guilt Trip
Some businesses turn the check into a guilt trip. So a heavy “are you sure” message feels manipulative.
Adding Too Many Steps
Some add too many steps to the process. So genuine unsubscribers get frustrated, and that frustration reflects badly on you.
Never Explaining Why The Check Exists
Some never explain why the check exists at all. So subscribers feel confused rather than protected by the extra step.
Unsubscribe Check – An Example
A Real World Use
Popular companies like Zoe use this strategy to protect against mistaken unsubscribes.
See also
